Ross Barkley's performance for Everton at Arsenal drew similarities with Paul
Gascoigne. Now the midfielder must heed both elements of Gazza is he is to
develop

When Paul Gascoigne was 20 and taking on north London opposition, he ran the show for Newcastle United against Tottenham Hotspur, scored the game’s two goals, playing a part in the build-up to both. He rode some late challenges, outwitted a World Cup winner and sashayed across a muddy field more suitable for sowing potatoes.

Gascoigne scored 11 times in 42 appearances that season, ending up Professional Footballers' Association Young Player of the Year, in the PFA Team of the Year alongside the eminent likes of John Barnes, Alan Hansen and Graeme Sharp and then headed off to an admiring Spurs for a British record £2 million. Within two years he was in a World Cup semi-final.

Comparisons between Gascoigne and Ross Barkley, the latest English 20-year-old deemed to “have a bit of Gazza’’ about him, are inevitably premature.

Yet the hopes of such respected judges as Gary Lineker, Gascoigne’s former team-mate, and Roberto Martínez, Barkley’s manager at Everton, could be fulfilled if Barkley learns the movement of Gascoigne and avoids the mistakes of Gazza. Barkley seems level-headed, eager to develop and is definitely in good hands with Martínez.

The Evertonian could do worse than find a DVD (probably an Extended Definition Betamax) of that Gascoigne game of Jan 23, 1988, before 24,616 at St James’ Park. Gascoigne’s movement, with the ball and without, was a masterclass on its own, let alone the technique involved in the two goals.

He was up against a strong Spurs side with Chris Fairclough, Gary Mabbutt, Mitchell Thomas and Chris Hughton in defence, Ossie Ardiles in midfield, Chris Waddle on the wing and Clive Allen in attack.

As Barkley was similarly inspired by the sight of Mesut Özil and Aaron Ramsey at Arsenal on Sunday, so Gascoigne loved the challenge.

He took responsibility for set pieces, senior colleagues appreciating his skill and irrepressibility. He drove forward with the ball, happy with it on his left or right foot, his head always up, checking for changes in team-mates’ positions. He occasionally put in a step-over or burst of pace to keep Spurs’ attempted tacklers at bay.

For his first goal, Gascoigne was involved in the centre, looking for a gap in defence to release Paul Goddard, before going back.

When Darren Jackson then turned the ball right to Neil McDonald, Gascoigne made his move, slipping into the box. He sensed how the attack would develop.

Goddard dinked the ball to Jackson, whose cross was turned in on the half-volley by the 20-year-old Geordie. Whether through pure instinct or acquired intelligence, Gascoigne’s run was so well timed that Fairclough could only throw his hands up in frustration.

Gascoigne’s second was even better. Holding off Thomas, Gascoigne quickly dribbled 50 yards before passing the ball through what remained of Spurs midfield to Goddard on the left. Goddard was fouled, Gascoigne took command of the free kick, lifted it over Spurs wall, past Tony Parks, then slid on his rear towards the corner flag.

A hoarding celebrated the joys of Guinness but the locals knew where the pure genius resided. Gascoigne.

Barkley already possesses some of that Gascoigne dexterity, that invention on the run, that spiriting of a ball through the centre. But comparisons?

Different eras. Gascoigne would have preferred the smooth lawn that is the Emirates pitch bestrode by Barkley on Sunday to his rutted St James’ Park playground. Gascoigne would have relished the protection enjoyed by Barkley and other playmakers of the modern world.

Gascoigne would particularly have appreciated the advances in medical science. Barkley recovered from a double leg break. Gascoigne was never the same after that self-inflicted knee injury sustained in the 1991 FA Cup final.

Players are accelerated into the England firmament nowadays. Barkley was 19 years and 275 days when making his debut against Moldova. Gascoigne was 21 years and 110 days when gaining five minutes as a sub against Denmark, bringing the first of his 57 caps.

Gascoigne was also stepping into an England set-up heaving with the great and gifted, with Barnes, Waddle and Lineker. Fewer talents inhabit the current dressing room. Barkley will go to the World Cup.

Gascoigne’s story is also a cautionary tale for Barkley. At 20, Gascoigne had already had escapades with cars, trouble with his weight, problems with his self-image, unsolved insecurities, essentially a desire to be loved.

Barkley does not have the psychological flaws or OCD symptoms of Gascoigne. He has a strong guiding influence in his mother as well as Martínez.

The 20-year-old could go far. Barkley could go very far if he takes inspiration from the creative best of Gascoigne and eschews his self-destructive tendencies.

Wage cap could help fair play

One way for Uefa to focus the minds of those high-profile clubs failing to meet Financial Fair Play requirements is for a one-season cap on wages allowable by the guilty club in Europe, rather than a ban which would only antagonise broadcasters and club lawyers.

If a club overspend by, say, €70 million (£58.5 million) more than their revenue then that figure (minus the Uefa €22.5 million debt allowance) would be deducted from permissible total wages of the 25-man squad submitted to Uefa for the following season.

A €200 million wage bill would therefore be reduced to €152.5 million, requiring some significant squad rejigging.

Some (probably middle-ranking) stars, whose transfers and salaries are underwritten by overspending, would be left in the stands.

This would mean the promotion of more lower-waged home-grown players (although they would be denied Uefa Youth League action), a serious rethink on endless and damaging wage inflation, and greater emphasis on balancing the books (or finding loopholes).

Fifa behaves irresponsibly again

Dragging the Italy-England World Cup game further into the clammy clutches of early-evening Manaus is irresponsible by Fifa.

All four matches in Manaus should have been 9pm kick-offs (three are now 6pm while Honduras-Switzerland is 4pm).

Not only could the heat temper the quality of the football, and ensure the game is broken up by breaks for drinks, but the draining conditions may mean players take longer to recover for their next assignments, gifting group rivals an advantage.

England, the worst-equipped to cope with high temperatures because of their issues with possession, face Uruguay four days later.

Italy at least have another day before meeting Costa Rica. Once again Fifa’s priorities are skewed.

The players, the real stars of the show, enter the House of Humidity in Manaus while Fifa execs just open the humidor.